Costly win: 49ers accrue more in fines than Packers

Clay Matthews’ late hit generated all the headlines, but the 49ers accrued more in fines in their season-opening win 34-28 win against the Packers on Sunday.

Matthews, Green Bay’s All-Pro outside linebacker, was docked $15,000 by the NFL for his personal-foul penalty on quarterback Colin Kaepernick in the second quarter. Meanwhile, 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks was fined $12,750 for a roughing-the-passer penalty in the second quarter and wide receiver Anquan Boldin was fined $7,875 for what the league deemed was a late hit on Packers cornerback Jarrett Bush in the third quarter.

Boldin was not called for a penalty on the play in which he hit Bush just after Kaepernick stepped out of bounds following a 15-yard run.

The NFL did not assess any fines to players who took part in the fracas that occurred after by Matthews’ hit on Kaepernick. Matthews delivered two shots to the facemask of 49ers left tackle Joe Staley, who was assessed an unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty. NFL vice president of officiating Dean Blandino later said Staley shouldn’t have been penalized.

On Monday, Jim Harbaugh kept the second-quarter incident in the spotlight when he took verbal aim at Matthews. Harbaugh derisively said one of Matthews’ shots on Staley was an “open slap.”

“I think that young man works very hard on being a tough guy,” Harbaugh said. “He’ll have some repairing to do to his image after the slap.”

Asked about Harbaugh’s comments Thursday, Matthews told the Green Bay media that he didn’t have a reaction.

“I’m onto the next game,” he said.

Pressed on the subject, Matthews jokingly pleaded for another topic – “Next game!” he said – before adding, with a smile: “I’m an awesome player. I’m not a dirty player.”

Matthews’ relatively modest $15,000 fine is probably a nod to his clean play during his four-year career. Matthews has only been fined twice, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. In 2010, he was fined for a uniform violation ($5,000) and a facemask penalty ($5,000).

Harbaugh insinuated Matthews was a dirty player, but Staley and 49ers fullback Bruce Miller both said they respected Matthews’ all-out style.

“I have a ton of respect for Clay,” Staley said. “Clay’s a great player. I really respect the way he plays the game. He plays the game hard. … It was one of those things where he was committed (to tackling Kaepernick). He had no ill will on the quarterback, in my opinion.”

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UPDATE: During his press conference Friday afternoon, Harbaugh declined to comment on the fines from Sunday’s game.

“At the direction of the league, I have nothing to say about that publicly,” he said.

Niners right guard Alex Boone, however, spoke his mind. How much would he have fined Matthews?

“Probably just punch him in the face,” Boone said. “I don’t want his money.”